BRYCE ELDER GRINDS INTO THE SIXTH

Following a disheartening extra-inning loss Saturday night, an Austin Riley 10th inning single helped the Braves win a close game.

Austin Riley walks it off!#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/lPwhxmYKH8

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 28, 2024

Atlanta rallied from 3-1 down late and scored the game-winner in the tenth against Cleveland, winning 4-3. Ben Lively stood up to his moniker, limiting the Braves to one run over 4 1/3 innings. Lively pitches around 91 mph, but the movement on his pitches made it difficult to square him up.

When the Braves did square up, the ball proved to be everything but lively once more today. Matt Olson finally squared one up, smashing it to left-center at 106+ mph, only to roll the die in mid-CF. Riley fired another explosion, this time with a launch angle of 34 degrees and a velocity of 101.4. The dead-ball era appears to be returning, and I’m curious what MLB has done to the balls.

ELDER GRINDS INTO THE SIXTH

Bryce Elder worked into the sixth inning of his second start, allowing two runs. His ball was also quick, frequently going off the plate and into the dirt as he fought with command. However, Elder is a consummate grinder. Even after being shot in the right foot, he kept looking for ways out.

The box score will not include the game’s plays. A.J. Minter used the traditional inside move on Steven Kwan and picked him off second in the top of the tenth. Jose Ramirez followed with a bloop single, attempting to steal second. Travis d’Arnaud failed to slide, and his peg bounced directly into Orlando Arcia’s glove and up Ramirez’s buttocks, sending the game to the bottom of the inning. Chadwick Tromp got the start today and threw out a baserunner in a fast-paced contest. Minter moved to 5-1 with the win and a 1.32 ERA. His 0.59 WHIP in 13.2 innings has been critical to his success.

Orlando with the tag!#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/L8XUyPWZh5

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 28, 2024

Ozzie Albies maintained his impressive performance at the plate, getting two more hits. Riley’s average had dropped to.223 at one point today, but he went 2-for-4 with the game winner. It feels like he drove in his first run on April 2. It hasn’t been long, but it’s been close.

The Braves improved to 19-7 and will travel west for three games in Seattle before facing the team that plays in Chavez Ravine next weekend. Max Fried gets the ball tomorrow evening. Last time out, Fried was Maximum Fried, throwing 92 pitches in a complete game shutout. He will play 25-year-old righty Bryce Miller, who has a 3-2 record and a 2.22 ERA. The first pitch is scheduled for 9:40 EDT/8:40 CDT/6:40 PDT. If you are monitoring with Braves Journal in Jakarta, you will need to look up the time yourself. Go, Braves!